AKURE, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA. Young people and residents of three communities in the Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, located in southwestern Nigeria, held a demonstration on Saturday, April 11, 2026, against a rising number of kidnappings and murders.
The protesters carried tree branches and blocked the major Shoprite intersection, a busy commercial area situated a short distance from the office of the state governor. Okay News reports that the protesters expressed deep grief, noting that the relentless violent attacks have left their communities in mourning.
Reports has it that armed individuals killed a female poultry farmer and her daughter on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in the Igushin community. During that same incident, officers from the Nigeria Police Force successfully rescued two other victims.
The violence continued the following day. On Friday, April 10, 2026, armed attackers invaded the Ilado community, striking a well known local youth with a machete and shooting him as he attempted to flee an abduction attempt.
Kunle, a youth leader representing the demonstrators, addressed journalists to explain the community’s frustration with the lack of safety around Akure, the state capital.
“We are protesting due to the incessant killings and kidnappings day in and day out at Imafon, Igushin and Ilado,” Kunle said. He highlighted the recent tragedies, adding, “A mother and daughter were killed two days ago, and another guy was brutally macheted yesterday.”
The demonstrators demanded immediate intervention from the state government, questioning the use of official security funds designed to protect citizens.
“We want government to rise up to its duties. We have not seen the impact of the monthly security votes in the state,” Kunle stated.
He expressed the exhaustion of the residents, saying, “We are tired of burying our people every week while those paid to protect us do nothing. These gunmen move freely in the state capital, and yet our leaders remain silent.”
Kunle also challenged the authorities directly, asking, “Where exactly is the security vote going? We see no presence of security, no patrols, no results.”
The residents vowed to continue their protests until the government takes measurable actions to secure their lives and properties.
